French cabin crew call solidarity strike with BA workers

Air France cabin crew have called a three-day solidarity strike with workers at British Airways (BA).

BA cabin crew are set to strike for three days from Saturday to defend jobs, pay and conditions, and for four days from 27 March.

Air France cabin crew will strike from 28 March. “Anything we can do to support the British Airways staff in their strike will be done,” said one union spokesperson. “We will be showing solidarity with our colleagues.”

Trade unions around the world are pledging support for BA cabin crew.

“The cabin crew are being supported in this by everyone from air traffic controllers to refuellers to ground and flight staff,” said Gabriel Mocho from the International Transport Workers Federation.

“They want to do what they can to back their colleagues in BA.”

Aviation workers may also take action against scab planes during the strike. This could involve refusing to put crew on BA planes or refusing to handle baggage from them.

James Hoffa, from the US Teamsters union, has said, “Whatever we have to do, we will do.”

The level of solidarity with BA workers is inspirational. It shows the level of support that ordinary workers are willing to give to BA cabin crew.

Workers must do all they can to make sure these promises are turned into action. And here, the Unite union should use the support for cabin crew to encourage solidarity action with the strike.